Messages: 680 Location: SoCal
Registered: October 2005
New Arrival - Back to Breitling
Fri, 21 September 2012 13:49
I am so excited to be back to Breitling! I've had several Breitlings before but this one is special. The Chronomat B01 44 has been tugging at me for a while and the wait was worth it. Just a few quick thoughts:
- Extremely comfortable due to case design. Lugs slope down just right and evrything feels smooth.
- Rider tabs have been redesigned. Check out the last pic where the profile of the left side of the tab is slightly lower than the right side. This is to maintain a lower profile while providing a better grip when turning the uni directional bezel counterclockwise. It almost feels like a drop of stainless steel was forged onto the bezel. The "tron" type numbers on the bezel bugged me in pics but is actually pleasing in overall effect.
- Even the crown is desinged with the slightest of details. When unscrewing the crown, there is more grip (due to the knurling pattern) than when winding or screwing the crown back in. Having to unscrew the chronograph pushers is a bit of a hassle but it does contribute to 500M of water resistance.
- The B01 Movement is superb. +2 seconds in 6 days!!! 70 hour power reserve and very smooth and satisfying to wind.
- The dial design is absolutely gorgeous to stare at. There is depth and interplay between the intricate surfaces of the dial, subdials, markers and hands. The square is not so obvious but reveals itself with differing light.
- The crystal is glareproofed on both sides you it's almost as though you can reach in and touch the dial and markers.
- The Pilot bracelet is so comfortable. The bracelet now articulates (vs fixed at the lugs) which makes it even more comfortable. Also, it makes removing the bracelet much easier than previous Chronomat models. There's a slight gap if you look for it between the bracelet and lugs but it flows so it's not quite so noticeable. The tradeoff is that it looks much better with straps since the lugs are fininshed and roll into the strap for a seamless design.
- The Diver Pro II with microadjustable deployant is awesome. So comfortable and beefy at the same time. I believe it has 12 microadjustments for a perfect fit.
Can you tell I like it the watch? I wore it last night to a Black Tie Event and it was just the right amount of bling with the Pilot Bracelet. Today it's on a strap with jeans. It's a great choice for a luxury sport chronograph. Thanks for reading and sharing my excitement.
- gilv